Hiking Bryce and Zion National Parks

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: Program Registration: 3:00-5:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: Orientation: 7:00 p.m. Returning to the hotel, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Please remember to bring your National Park Pass, hiking poles if you have them, sturdy walking shoes, a small backpack, sun protection, and a refillable water bottle. This program is staffed with a knowledgeable Group/Study Leader who will lead field trips and possibly give a lecture as well; local experts will also join us to deliver lectures. Our driver will also assist while on hikes. Transportation will be provided primarily by motorcoach, unless otherwise specified. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Hiking 2-4 miles throughout the day on unpaved trails, depending on walks chosen, time and weather; elevations range from 2,500 feet in the city to 4,500 feet at Snow Canyon.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: In our meeting room at the hotel, our instructor will present a lecture on the geology, ecology, flora, and fauna of Southern Utah. We’ll gain a greater understanding of the incredible formations we will hike through and explore during the week. While we’ll continue to have trailside talks during field trips, this class will set the stage for our remaining outings. We will transfer by motorcoach for a 15-minute ride to Snow Canyon State Park. We’ll enjoy hiking through sandstone formations of red and white rock cliffs, rolling mounds of petrified sand dunes, and basalt rock formations.

Lunch: Along the trail, we will enjoy a box lunch.

Afternoon: We will continue our walking field trip through the unique geologic features of Snow Canyon State Park.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 45 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Lower Emerald Pools is a 1.2-mile round trip on groomed trail with 70-foot elevation change. Middle Emerald Pools is a 2-mile round trip on groomed trail with 150-foot elevation change. Riverside trail is a 2 mile round trip on a paved trail, mostly flat.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll check out of the hotel and travel to Zion National Park by motorcoach. From Zion Lodge we'll hike to Middle and Lower Emerald Pools with our Group Leader to view waterfalls cascading over sandstone cliffs to shallow green pools.

Lunch: Returning to Zion Lodge, we’ll have a box lunch on the lawn.

Afternoon: We’ll transfer to the park shuttle system to the Temple of Sinawava, a natural amphitheater and the trailhead for the Riverside Walk. From here, we walk on a fairly level, paved trail that follows the course of the Virgin River deep into the heart of Zion Canyon, viewing spring lines that provide water for lush hanging gardens and the home of the endangered Zion snail. We’ll then return to the lodge to take the motorcoach to our hotel in Springdale, located just outside the gates to Zion National Park.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: We’ll be joined in the hotel meeting room by a federally licensed eagle falconer for a presentation on birds of prey and see a live falcon, hawk, and golden eagle.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Hiking 4 miles roundtrip throughout the day on paved or groomed trails with a 1,100-foot elevation change.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll transfer by motorcoach to Zion National Park, transfer to the park shuttle system, and set out to explore Zion's Scouts Lookout. Starting at the Grotto trailhead, today’s hike takes us up and out of the west side of the main canyon to Scout's Lookout. From here enjoy incredible views of the Canyon.

Lunch: On the trail.

Afternoon: We’ll continue hiking and exploring Zion, returning to the hotel late afternoon.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There’s a variety of small and distinctive restaurants to choose from.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 75 miles, about 1.5 hours. Peekaboo Loop trail is a 5.3-mile round trip on groomed trail with 1,000-foot elevation change. Rim trail from Bryce Point to Sunset Point is a 2-mile one-way trip on groomed trail with a 300-foot elevation drop.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will travel to Bryce Canyon National Park for a full-day field trip, starting with the Peekaboo Loop Trail. We’ll begin at Bryce Point, one of the best vistas in the park, zigzagging down the rim 1,000 feet into the canyon. Here we’ll weave through a brilliant collection of hoodoos, fins, and spires in the main Bryce Canyon amphitheater. For those who prefer a less strenuous route, the 2-mile Rim Trail also offers great views of the Bryce Canyon amphitheater.

Lunch: On the trail, we’ll have box lunches.

Afternoon: We’ll continue exploring Bryce Canyon then stop at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center to view the award-winning park video, visit the natural history museum, and learn from the Group/Study Leader about the amazing night sky at Bryce. Later, we’ll proceed to our hotel for check-in.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, we’ll have a Western-themed meal.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 145 miles to final hotel, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail is a 3.5-mile hike with an elevation change of 520 feet.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After checking out, we’ll set out for our final hike in Bryce Canyon: Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail. This hike is absolutely the best way to see the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. It is listed as one of the top 10 hikes in the U.S. by National Geographic.

Lunch: On the trail, we’ll have box lunches.

Afternoon: We’ll wrap up our adventures at Bryce and travel by motorcoach to St. George.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!